1920
George
2011
George Anthony Kimmet
February 22, 1920 — May 15, 2011
George “Tony” Kimmet, age 91, passed away from natural causes on Sunday, May 15, 2011 at home surrounded by his family. Tony was a life long resident of northern Montana. He was a farmer, rancher and pilot. A rosary will be held Thursday, May 19 at 7:00 p.m. and a funeral mass will be Friday, May 20 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Margaret Catholic Church in Cut Bank followed by burial with military honors in the Crown Hill Cemetery.
He was born in Sunburst on February 22, 1920 to George and Wilhelmia (Schorn) Kimmet. He grew up near the Sweetgrass Hills east of Sunburst and attended rural school. He worked on the family farm until he answered his country’s call to duty in 1942. Although he completed an eighth grade education, after entering the service, he was quickly singled out for the pilot program due to his perfect size and high-test scores. After completing his pilot training, he was among the first volunteers to pilot the B-29 long-range bomber, which was assigned to Sai Pan for bombing missions over Japan. He flew 30 missions and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters. He was honorably discharged in March 1960 after earning the rank of Army Air Corp Captain.
After returning from his tour of duty during WWII, he returned to Sunburst and was employed at the Texaco Refinery where he met his love and partner in life, Lois Porter. They were married on January 26, 1946 in Sunburst.
Tony worked in agriculture until purchasing his farm southeast of Cut Bank in 1953. There he farmed, ranched and raised his family until retiring to Cut Bank in 1994. Tony was a lifelong member of the Catholic Church and a member of St. Margaret Parish in Cut Bank where he served on the parish council.
Tony is survived by his wife, Lois and nine children, Karen (Jack) Ganje of Great Falls, Judy (Tom) Fetters of Conrad, Kathy (Jay) Vasboe of Cut Bank, Tink Kimmet Anderson of Cut Bank, Marvin (Becky) Kimmet of Cut Bank, Martin Kimmet of Powell, WY, Mary (Jim) Embleton of Great Falls, Amy (Jim) Schmechel of Great Falls, and Karla (Mark Elison) Kelly of Billings. He has 25 grandchildren, and 22 great-grandchildren. His brothers, Leo and Aloie Kimmet, and sisters, Marcella Barron and Gertrude Heathman, also survive him.
Tony was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Bernard, Leonard, and Howard Kimmet; and an infant granddaughter.
Tony loved his family, his farm and his friends. He was extremely proud of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and their accomplishments.
He was born in Sunburst on February 22, 1920 to George and Wilhelmia (Schorn) Kimmet. He grew up near the Sweetgrass Hills east of Sunburst and attended rural school. He worked on the family farm until he answered his country’s call to duty in 1942. Although he completed an eighth grade education, after entering the service, he was quickly singled out for the pilot program due to his perfect size and high-test scores. After completing his pilot training, he was among the first volunteers to pilot the B-29 long-range bomber, which was assigned to Sai Pan for bombing missions over Japan. He flew 30 missions and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters. He was honorably discharged in March 1960 after earning the rank of Army Air Corp Captain.
After returning from his tour of duty during WWII, he returned to Sunburst and was employed at the Texaco Refinery where he met his love and partner in life, Lois Porter. They were married on January 26, 1946 in Sunburst.
Tony worked in agriculture until purchasing his farm southeast of Cut Bank in 1953. There he farmed, ranched and raised his family until retiring to Cut Bank in 1994. Tony was a lifelong member of the Catholic Church and a member of St. Margaret Parish in Cut Bank where he served on the parish council.
Tony is survived by his wife, Lois and nine children, Karen (Jack) Ganje of Great Falls, Judy (Tom) Fetters of Conrad, Kathy (Jay) Vasboe of Cut Bank, Tink Kimmet Anderson of Cut Bank, Marvin (Becky) Kimmet of Cut Bank, Martin Kimmet of Powell, WY, Mary (Jim) Embleton of Great Falls, Amy (Jim) Schmechel of Great Falls, and Karla (Mark Elison) Kelly of Billings. He has 25 grandchildren, and 22 great-grandchildren. His brothers, Leo and Aloie Kimmet, and sisters, Marcella Barron and Gertrude Heathman, also survive him.
Tony was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Bernard, Leonard, and Howard Kimmet; and an infant granddaughter.
Tony loved his family, his farm and his friends. He was extremely proud of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and their accomplishments.
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